Jesse Marsch quits as Red Bulls coach, replaced by Armas

Jesse Marsch quits as Red Bulls coach, replaced by Armas

FILE - In this April 9, 2017, file photo, New York Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch acknowledges Red Bulls fans after an MLS soccer game against Orlando City, in Orlando, Fla. Marsch has left the Red Bulls to pursue other opportunities. We are fully supportive of Jesse and his decision to pursue a new opportunity, said Red Bulls Sporting Director Denis Hamlett. The Red Bulls have promoted Chris Armas to head coach, effective immediately, the team said Friday, July 6, 2018.(AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

HARRISON, N.J. (AP) -- Jesse Marsch resigned Friday as coach of Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls and was replaced by top assistant Chris Armas, a former U.S. national team defender.

The Red Bulls said Marsch left to pursue a new opportunity. Marsch may head to head to Germany to work for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, which is owned by the same parent company.

New York is second in the Eastern Conference with 10 wins, four losses and two ties, losing just one of its last 10 matches.

Marsch leaves after 3+ seasons in New York and is the winningest coach in franchise history with 58 victories, 35 losses and 25 ties. The 44-year-old led the club to the 2015 Supporters' Shield, a U.S. Open Cup final appearance, and two trips to the CONCACAF Champions League, including a semifinal appearance this year. Under Marsch, the Red Bulls made the MLS Cup playoffs three times.

The 45-year-old Armas made 66 appearances for the U.S. from 1998-2005. He was set to be on the 2002 World Cup roster before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a pre-tournament exhibition against Uruguay

A New York native, Armas joined the Red Bulls staff in February 2015 after stints as the coach of the Adelphi University women's team and as an assistant with the Chicago Fire. Armas played 10 of his 12 seasons in Chicago and helped the Fire to MLS Cups in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006. He was a six-time All-Star.

''Chris has emerged as a leader in his own right, and embodies our core values on and off the field,'' Red Bulls general manager Marc de Grandpre said. ''Chris has emerged as a leader in his own right, and embodies our core values on and off the field.''

Patrick Vieira, the coach of the metropolitan area's other team, New York City FC, quit June 11 to coach Ligue 1's Nice in France and was replaced by of Domenec Torrent.